Anisimova pulls out of Italian Open with wrist injury; Ruse steps in as lucky loser
Synopsis
Anisimova's wrist injury has knocked her out of Rome, extending a frustrating absence that began in March. With only six tour-level matches since Dubai, the World No. 6 is racing against time to build momentum before the French Open. The Italian Open has become a casualty ward this year — Kostyuk, Raducanu, and now Anisimova — raising questions about the gruelling clay-court schedule.
Key Takeaways
Amanda Anisimova withdraws from the Italian Open due to a left wrist injury, cancelling her second-round match against Jelena Ostapenko .
Lucky loser Elena Gabriela Ruse steps into the main draw following the withdrawal.
Anisimova has not competed since the hard-court swing; she also withdrew from Charleston and Madrid due to injury.
6 has compiled an 11-6 record this season but played only six tour-level matches since the Dubai semifinals .
Marta Kostyuk and Emma Raducanu have also withdrawn from Rome due to hip injury and post-viral illness respectively.
Amanda Anisimova, World No. 6, has withdrawn from the Italian Open in Rome due to a left wrist injury, further extending her absence from the clay-court season. The 24-year-old American was scheduled to face Jelena Ostapenko in the second round on Thursday, with lucky loser Elena Gabriela Ruse now stepping into her place in the main draw.
Anisimova's injury timeline
The withdrawal marks the latest setback in what has been a disrupted season for Anisimova. She has not competed since the hard-court swing concluded, having withdrawn from the Charleston Open in March following an injury sustained at the Miami Open. She subsequently pulled out of the Madrid Open due to wrist complications, the same issue now forcing her out of Rome.
Recent form and coaching change
Anisimova's most recent match appearances came at the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open, where she reached the Round of 16 in consecutive events. Immediately after Miami, she ended her coaching partnership with Hendrik Vleeshouwers. In an Instagram post, she reflected on their collaboration: "Last year holds so many special moments and achievements together that I will never forget! We picked up some trophies and incredible milestones, but all the laughs and behind-the-scenes moments I'll carry with me even more."
Season record and recent achievements
The reigning WTA Most Improved Player has compiled an 11-6 record this season despite limited match play. She reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January and advanced to the semifinals in Dubai the following month, but has played only six tour-level matches since those events.
Growing list of withdrawals
Anisimova joins several other top players withdrawing from Rome. Marta Kostyuk pulled out earlier this week due to a right hip injury, writing on social media: "After the best stretch of my career, I was looking forward to Rome. But sometimes your body has other plans, and over the past few days, I've been dealing with a hip issue. With my ankle still not fully at 100%, it's just not smart to keep pushing right now." Emma Raducanu also withdrew earlier citing a post-viral illness. These withdrawals underscore the physical toll of the clay-court calendar on the women's tour.
Point of View
And the gap between hard courts and Roland Garros leaves players with minimal recovery time. With only six matches played since February, Anisimova is essentially arriving at the French Open cold — a precarious position for a player ranked No. 6. The string of withdrawals from Rome (Kostyuk, Raducanu, now Anisimova) suggests that the tour's scheduling may be pushing players toward injury rather than competition.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Amanda Anisimova withdraw from the Italian Open?
Anisimova withdrew due to a left wrist injury. She was scheduled to face Jelena Ostapenko in the second round on Thursday but decided to pull out to avoid aggravating the injury.
Who replaces Anisimova in the Italian Open main draw?
Lucky loser Elena Gabriela Ruse has been moved into the main draw to replace Anisimova following her withdrawal.
When did Anisimova's wrist injury first occur?
The wrist injury first emerged during the hard-court swing earlier this season. Anisimova withdrew from the Charleston Open in March after sustaining an injury at the Miami Open, and subsequently pulled out of Madrid due to wrist complications.
What is Anisimova's record this season?
Anisimova has compiled an 11-6 record this season. She reached the Australian Open quarterfinals in January and the Dubai semifinals in February, but has played only six tour-level matches since then.
Which other players have withdrawn from the Italian Open?
Marta Kostyuk withdrew due to a right hip injury, and Emma Raducanu pulled out citing a post-viral illness. These withdrawals highlight the physical demands of the clay-court season.
